Millions pass through SA ports of entry
3 January 2012
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs facilitated hassle-free travel for more than two-million people who passed through the country's ports of entry in December.
Between 1 and 22 December, 2 323 192 travellers passed through South Africa's air, land and sea ports, including the OR Tambo (Johannesburg), King Shaka (Durban) and Cape Town International Airports, the department reports.
The annual holiday migrations were facilitated by the department's Advanced Passenger Processing and Movement Control Systems, a legacy of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
To deal with the increased traveller volumes, an additional 154 immigration officers were deployed to the Maseru, Lebombo and Durban Harbour ports of entry. Hours of operation at certain ports of entry were also extended.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has reiterated her call for passengers travelling through OR Tambo International Airport to exercise patience following recent changes to the airport's immigration system.
On 21 December, 350 former SA National Defence Force officers assumed their duties as immigration officers at the airport for the first time.
The department noted that the deployment was not without teething problems, which had resulted in delays in the processing of travellers.
However, Dlamini Zuma was confident that the new immigration officers would soon be up to speed.
Source: BuaNews
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